it has hitherto much wanted. But we see no provision made by which the Diet is to enforce its judgment; and we fear in this, as in similar cases, that the representatives of the small states will fall under the management of the most powerful, and thus be used as mere make-weights in the scale. Neither do we augur much actual good to result from general declarations concerning toleration and liberty of the press, which each sovereign may counteract and defeat by his own municipal regulations. Still, however, the solemn and public adoption of these doctrines is a tribute to the improving spirit of the times, which is daily throwing more clear

light upon the real interests both of rulers and subjects. There are certain points now admitted and conceded on all hands, which form, as it were, a centre of gravity, to which public opinion, though frequently diverging on either hand, like an agitated pendulum, is sure to fix when the impulse has ceased to act. And, upon the whole, the appearance of Europe at the conclusion of this extraordinary year, holds out a greater promise of tranquillity than has appeared on her horizon for many years, if we except the first period after the restoration of the Bourbons in 1814,-an exception which strongly reminds us of the uncertainty of all political predictions.

JANUARY.

1st.-EDINBURGH.-At a period when the common necessaries of life are to be had at so very low a rate, it has been accounted matter of wonder, as it is of regret, that highway rob. beries have become so frequent in this country, where they were formerly so little known. While we lament these occurrences, it may be satisfactory to the public, as it is honourable to the army, to know, that of the many characters lodged in the jails of Edinburgh and Glasgow, accused of those lawless deeds, there is not a single instance of any of these individuals being among the classes discharged from the army since the peace of Paris.

Bank of England Accounts.-The average amount of public balances in the hands of the bank, between the 1st of February, 1814, and the 15th of January, 1815, both inclusive, upon accounts opened at the bank, was 261,162.; and the amount of the same (exclusive of the exchequer account,) between the 1st of February, 1814, and the 15th of January, 1815, both days inclusive, upon accounts opened at the bank, previous to the

28th of March, 1800, was 4,227,0251. The aggregate amount of bank notes (including 1,200,2201. in bank post bills) in circulation on the 15th of May, was 26,473,860. The average amount of unclaimed dividends in the hands of the bank for twelve months, up to the 1st of January, was 779,7941. making the gross amount 9,357,533. The amount of unclaimed dividends in the hands of the bank on the 1st of January, 1815, was 1,297,7421. of which 876,7391. has been advanced to government per 31 and 48 Geo. III. leaving a remainder in the bank of 421,0031.

2d.-An inquest was held at the St Andrew's Head, Upper East Smithfield, on the body of a man discovered in Down's wharf, tied up in a ham. per, which was to be sent to Scotland. Mr Toss, clerk in the warehouse, deposed, that on Tuesday seʼennight two despicable-looking men came before the wharf was opened, in the morning, with a horse and cart, and enquired if the Leith smack went from thence: on being told it did, they went to a public-house while the warehouse was opening, and afterwards came to him with a hamper. They said the direction was written on a piece of leather,